Functions of crime

Created by: Emily Uffindell
Created on: 27-12-14 13:58

Other sociologists have developed Durkheim's idea that...

...deviance can have positive functions

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Who argue that prostitution acts as a 'safety valve' for the release of men's sexual frustration without threatening the monogomous nuclear family?

Davis

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What does Cohen identify as a positive function of crime?

Crime can be a warning that an institution is not functioning properly

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For example:

High truancy rates tell us that there are problems within the education system and policy-makers need to make the necessary changes.

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Functionalists have also developed on Durkheim's idea that...

... crime is normal and inevitable

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What did Erikson argue?

If deviance performs positive social functions, society may actually be organised to promote deviance

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Erikson argues that the true function of social control agencies (such as the police) is...

...to sustain a cetain level of crime rather than to rid society of it.

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Instead of seeking to eliminate deviance entirely...

...some societies also manage and regulate it

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What evidence is there for this?

There is often some form of license for misbehaviour that in other contexts would be punished.

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Examples for this are:

Demonstrations/carnivals/festivals

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How does this relate to the saying that youth should be allowed to "sow their wild oats."?

This can perform a function of regulating deviance from a functionalist perspective as this means that they will have 'got it out of their system,' and be less likely to commit serious offences when they are older.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Who argue that prostitution acts as a 'safety valve' for the release of men's sexual frustration without threatening the monogomous nuclear family?

Back

Davis

Card 3

Front

What does Cohen identify as a positive function of crime?

Back

Card 4

Front

For example:

Back

Card 5

Front

Functionalists have also developed on Durkheim's idea that...

Back

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Functions of crime